White Ash (Fraxinus americana) is classified as a hardwood. This designation is based on the tree’s botanical classification, not the physical density of its lumber. The wood is highly valued for its combination of strength, resilience, and appearance, making it one of the most commercially important native North American hardwoods.
Defining Hardwood and Softwood
The distinction between hardwood and softwood is based on the reproductive biology of the tree, not the wood’s physical hardness. Hardwoods are derived from angiosperms, which are flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed in a protective covering, such as a fruit or a nut. Most temperate hardwoods, including White Ash, are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves seasonally.
Conversely, softwoods come from gymnosperms, which are non-flowering plants that produce “naked” seeds, typically in cones. These are usually conifers that retain their needles year-round. This botanical difference results in distinct cellular structures. Hardwoods possess vessel elements, or pores, for water transport, while softwoods do not.
This classification system explains why some botanically defined hardwoods, like balsa, are physically much softer than some softwoods, such as yew. The terms reference the tree’s life cycle and structure. White Ash, as an angiosperm, is definitively classified as a hardwood.
Physical Characteristics of White Ash
White Ash is a ring-porous hardwood. The large water-conducting vessel elements are concentrated in the earlywood, which is the wood formed at the beginning of the growing season. This arrangement creates a distinct and prominent grain pattern. The grain is generally straight and uniform, with a medium to coarse texture.
The wood has exceptional mechanical properties, particularly a high strength-to-weight ratio and shock resistance. Its ability to absorb impact without splintering or fracturing is measurable, with a high Modulus of Elasticity, often ranging from 1,700,000 to 1,900,000 psi. This elasticity makes it a highly resilient North American hardwood.
White Ash is substantial, with an average dried density around 41 to 45 pounds per cubic foot (655 to 720 kg/m³). It exhibits a Janka hardness rating of approximately 1,320 pounds-force (lbf), making it harder than species like Red Oak. The color is typically a light to medium brown heartwood with a pale white or cream-colored sapwood.
Common Uses for White Ash Lumber
The combination of toughness, resilience, and bending properties makes White Ash sought after for applications requiring impact tolerance. It is the traditional wood of choice for non-striking tool handles, such as shovels, rakes, and hoes, where its elasticity dampens vibrations. It is regarded as second only to hickory for this purpose.
The wood’s shock resistance makes it the historical standard for high-impact sports equipment. For many decades, nearly all professional wooden baseball bats were crafted from White Ash. This was due to its ability to compress upon impact and spring back without breaking. Its strength and flexibility also lead to its use in hockey sticks, oars, canoe paddles, and longbows.
Beyond sporting goods and handles, White Ash is utilized in interior applications where durability is important, such as high-traffic residential and gym flooring. Its attractive grain and ability to take stains well make it a popular option for furniture, cabinetry, and interior joinery. It can also be easily steam-bent, which is a valuable property for creating curved components in furniture and instruments.